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Flashback: Annette Funicello Shares MS Revelations

By David Weiner 12:21 PM PDT, April 8, 2013

Annette Funicello passed away at 70 today due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis following a 25-year battle with the disease. Back in 1992, after the former Disney Mouseketeer and beach movie icon announced that she was struggling with MS, ET's Mary Hart sat down with her to discuss the life-changing turn of events.

"I get down sometimes -- I'm not going to lie to you and say 'No, it doesn't bother me at all,'" said Annette. "Some days it does, when you think, 'Why me? Why Me? I've never intentionally hurt anybody?' But there's a reason. There's a reason for everything. And maybe I can help others."

Annette shared the outpouring of support from fans and celebrity friends, including Frankie Avalon and Frank and Barbara Sinatra, and she explained that she could see the silver lining in things that she used to be embarrassed about, like requesting a wheelchair while traveling through airports.